National Republican., 1887-12-10
CAPT. BLAcKroRp,s DEATH.
his Life Sacrificed to His Devotion to
Temperance Work.

btb l41to ShCF1HCeu 10 DeNotlOn 70
Temperance Work.
Deep regret was C used yesterday by the
sudden death OF Capt. s. s. Blackford in
front Of Galt's Hour aud feed establishment,
corner OF Fret street and Indiana avenue,
yesterday. Tue deceased was an earnest
temperance worker, and while engaged for
the cause be met his death For several
weeks past he was frequently at the com.
mieeioners' Office opposing the applications
Of many Of the liquor dealers. His last
effort was against John Brosnau, on G
street, near Third northwest. The com.
lniseloners had held back their decision
In this case three times. Early yesterday
morning Capt. Blackford entered Mr.
Webb's room and asked for an hours ex-
tension Of time to enable him TO get an
affidavit from j. X. Reislnger, OF NO. 235 G
street, certifying that he had Withdrawn
his name from the application. Mr.. Webb
noticed that Capt. Blackford was somewhat
excited, and that profuse perspiratIon was
on his brow. The request was granted.
Capt. Blackford then left to obtain the
affidavit, and was on his back to Commits
tioner Webb's Office when he dropped dead.
The commissioner in the meanwhile waited
for him until Ills o'clock and, in doing ss.
delayed an engagement with SuDt. Poweil
to visit the schools.
Mr.. Webb, thinking Mr. Blackford was ,ra-
successful in his mission, and as Brosnan's
application was perfect In so far as the law
required II to be, he signed 1t and left the
District building.
The news OF Capt. Blackford's death
was brought to the District building by
| Brosnan shortly after / , o'clock. A young
| man followed on the heels OF Br0snpn
| with the news Of Capt. Blackford's death,
and when told that the license had been
granted remarked, "lt Ia too bad"
When the body of Capt Blackford was
brought home his wife found Mr.. R-isln.
| gers affidavit stating that he had Withdrawn
| his signature from Brosnan's application.
| This paper was given three young women,
| who took IL to Commit siouer WhcatleV,
| but they were told they were too late. OIe
| OF the women eaid In her desperation, "The
more see Of man the more like tho dog"
| Commissioner Webb was deeply affected
by the sad death Of Capt Blackford. The
cause Of death was due no doubt to heart
trouble, aggravated by the excitement oc-
casiop ed In getting the required afll layif-
The residents Of Second street, betM1eu
T and G, who knew the deceased and wete
in sympathy with his work, were much
grieved at HE loes. Last night reporter
Of the REPUBLICAN, called on Mr.. VIII
Church at his htmc, 63l Second street.
That gentleman stated that it was not true
that the license application OF Mr. john
Brosnan bad been laid over three tImef at
the request Of Capt. Blackford. The de-
ceased went to see Commissioner Webb
about note which Mr.. Reisepger had gpt
withdrew from the application. Capt.
Blackford had been told that the note had
disappeared. He asked Commissioner
Webb about II, aud that official said to him
that an affidavit from Mr.. Reisinger TO the
effect that he had withdrawn his name
would be required. 1t was then that the
deceased asked for one hours time to get
the required paper. He hurried and worried
himself In order to obtain the paper and com
ply with the obligation that he had bound
bimself TO. Mr.. Church felt satisfied tnat
Capt. Blackford felt keenly the setback be
got on learning that the affidavit was neces
sary to show that Mr.. Reisinger had with
drawn his name, and that the note whifh
Mr.. RelsiDger had sent long time ago WIS
not recognized.
During the conversation some ladies came
into the pretty little sitting room, and
among them was relative OF the deceased.
She refused to give her name, but Joined 10
the conversation, and substantiated what
Mr.. Church had said. In speaking about
the matter she stated that the community
had suffered by the presence Of nine e.
looms, and instead OF being any good to the
pelghborhood they had proven to be ab
evil, and were the cause OF depreciating thu
value of property. She charged that BroT
mans application had names on 1t that wei,
not put there by the people themselves. &
egh1foh Of temperance people propose to
call on Mr.. Webb and demand the reasons
why an affidavit Of signer was necessary,
When note was sent by the eigner asking
10 pave his name withdrawn. We will want
10 know, also, how that note mysteriously
disappeared. We Will want to know how
lhe license was granted on the face of It's
rejection for want OF sufficient siguers
The interview brought forth many things
connected with the case, and also the fact
that the granting Of the license has brought
down great indignation on the commission.
ers. The funeral Of Capt. Blackford viii
take place Sunday afternoon, and the re-.
mains viii be taken to Ohio for interment.
Inc statements credited to Mrs. Blackford.
tnat she was aware OF her husbands mis-
sion and the use he was to make of the All.
davit were denied. Her friends said that
| the lady was In total ignorance of what her
husband had been doing. The affiiayit
| happened TO fall in the hands of lady who
Knew It's meaning and purpose, and ii was
she VINO sent 1t to the commissioners
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